Reborn as the Reluctant Saint - Chapter 7 - Go On, Call Him Jiefu

Gu Yuanyuan hadn’t expected Gu Hanyu to appear so suddenly. Flustered, she found herself at a loss for words. She wasn’t even sure why she felt so panicked. Was it because she had deliberately hidden the fact that she already knew the man before her was Shen Hui? Or was it something else entirely? It seemed like her instincts had simply chosen to act as if she knew nothing.

“I was planning to introduce you two, but it seems you’ve already met. What a coincidence, isn’t it?” Gu Hanyu approached them with a soft smile, her tone light and casual.

She stopped between Gu Yuanyuan and Shen Hui, her delicate hand resting gently on Shen Hui’s arm in a gesture of intimacy. “Yuanyuan, let me formally introduce you. This is Shen Hui, and he’ll be your Jiefu soon. Hui, this is Yuanyuan, my long-lost sister whom we just recently reunited with. You remember her, don’t you?”

Gu Yuanyuan’s wide, startled eyes darted to Shen Hui, who, for the first time, let a flicker of surprise cross his usually composed face. “Gu Yuanyuan?”

Gu Hanyu smiled warmly. “You’re both so important to me. I hope you’ll get along well. Yuanyuan, why are you standing there like a deer in headlights? Go on, call him.”

Gu Yuanyuan blinked, confused. “Call him?”

Gu Hanyu’s smile deepened. “Yes, call him Jiefu.”

Gu Yuanyuan hesitated, her gaze shifting between Gu Hanyu’s serene expression and Shen Hui’s unreadable face. Finally, she whispered, “Jie… Jiefu…”

Only then did Gu Hanyu’s smile bloom fully. She tilted her head to look up at Shen Hui, her delicate features radiating sincerity. “Hui, this is my little sister. When I’m not around, you’ll help me take care of her, won’t you?”

Shen Hui, having recovered from his initial surprise, quickly masked his emotions. The revelation that the intriguing girl he had met earlier was his fiancée’s sister had caught him off guard, but his usual impassive demeanor betrayed nothing.

His gaze landed on Gu Yuanyuan. “Mm.”

Gu Yuanyuan felt uneasy under his steady gaze and nervously fidgeted with the hem of her dress.

Gu Hanyu, as if oblivious to the tension, said, “Hui, you can stay here for a bit. I’ll take Yuanyuan to get ready. It’s almost her turn to make her entrance.”

Gu Yuanyuan heard Shen Hui’s calm, even “Mm” as a response. Before she could dwell on it, Gu Hanyu had already looped her arm through hers, her voice gentle. “Come on, let’s find Mom.”

Gu Yuanyuan nodded and followed quietly. As they walked away, she suddenly felt a cool gaze lingering on her back. She bit her lip, resisting the urge to look over her shoulder.

“Yuanyuan, why did you look so surprised?” Gu Hanyu’s voice broke the silence as they reached the door to the room.

“Huh?” Gu Yuanyuan blinked, confused.

“When I introduced Hui to you earlier, you seemed a little shocked,” Gu Hanyu said, her tone light but probing.

Gu Yuanyuan quickly shook her head. “No, I wasn’t that surprised.”

Gu Hanyu tilted her head thoughtfully. “That’s true. I did show you his photo before, and he doesn’t look much different in person. You must’ve recognized him right away, so there’s no reason to be so startled.”

Gu Yuanyuan’s heart skipped a beat, and she struggled to find a response. “I was just nervous about facing so many people,” she finally said.

Gu Hanyu nodded, her expression one of understanding. “Don’t worry. Mom and Dad will be there.”

Relieved, Gu Yuanyuan exhaled. “Mm.”

But then Gu Hanyu added, “You know, Hui seemed surprised too. He didn’t realize you were my sister. When I found you two talking earlier, you seemed to be getting along well. I thought you’d already told him who you were.”

Gu Yuanyuan’s heart sank. She had indeed recognized Shen Hui the moment she saw him. The man who had saved her life, the man who had appeared countless times in her dreams, was etched deeply into her memory. But she hadn’t said anything. Deep down, she still saw him as her savior more than her sister’s fiancé.

“I didn’t have the chance to say anything,” Gu Yuanyuan explained. “I was afraid it might come off as presumptuous. Shen Hui’s status is so distinguished; I didn’t want him to think I was trying to curry favor or cause trouble for you.”

Gu Hanyu’s expression softened with understanding. “I see. Thank you for being so considerate, Yuanyuan. I really appreciate it.”

“It’s nothing…”

Gu Hanyu pushed open the door, leading Gu Yuanyuan inside. Zhang Shuhui, now dressed in an elegant emerald-green cheongsam, greeted them with a warm smile. Her hair, pinned up with a jade hairpin, exuded grace and poise.

“Mom, guess what just happened?” Gu Hanyu said cheerfully. “I found Hui and Yuanyuan talking in the hallway. I thought they already knew each other’s identities, but it turns out they didn’t. Yuanyuan had seen Hui’s photo before, so she recognized him right away.”

Zhang Shuhui’s curiosity was piqued. “Oh? What happened?”

Gu Yuanyuan’s cheeks flushed. “Sister, stop it.”

Gu Hanyu ignored her protest. “Yuanyuan, tell Mom what you said earlier.”

Gu Yuanyuan hesitated, but under Gu Hanyu’s persistent urging and Zhang Shuhui’s expectant gaze, she reluctantly repeated her explanation.

Gu Hanyu beamed. “See, Mom? Yuanyuan is so thoughtful. I’m so lucky to have such a considerate sister.”

Zhang Shuhui nodded approvingly. “There’s no need to worry. Our family and the Shen family are close, and now we’re connected by marriage. Hui knows about our family. You just need to be honest, and he’ll understand.”

Gu Yuanyuan nodded. “I understand. I was just overthinking it earlier.”

“It’s okay,” Gu Hanyu said warmly. “I know you meant well.”

Her smile was radiant, her gaze sincere, as if she truly cherished having such a kind-hearted sister.

But Gu Yuanyuan couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. Every word Gu Hanyu said felt loaded, as if subtly questioning why she hadn’t immediately revealed her identity to Shen Hui. Was there some hidden accusation in her words?

After escorting Gu Yuanyuan back, Gu Hanyu returned to the hallway. As expected, Shen Hui was still there, though the cigarette he had been holding earlier was now discarded.

“Ah, Hui,” she greeted, her tone light.

Shen Hui had to admit, while Gu Yuanyuan’s charm lay in her fresh, girl-next-door innocence, Gu Hanyu exuded a mature allure. Her pale blue evening gown accentuated her graceful figure, and as she approached, her every movement was a blend of elegance and subtle seduction.

“I knew I’d find you hiding here,” Gu Hanyu said with a soft laugh. “How’s work going?”

“Not bad.”

“Will you be traveling abroad again soon?”

“No, I’ll be staying in the country for the next few months.”

A pleased smile curved Gu Hanyu’s lips, restrained yet genuine.

“So happy?” Shen Hui asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course,” she replied.

“My sister is back, and you’re staying. With all the people I care about here, how could I not be happy?”

Shen Hui’s lips quirked in a faint smile. “Mm.”

Gu Hanyu seemed to remember something. “By the way, my sister just returned, and she’s so kind and innocent. We can’t always be there to look out for her. If she ever runs into trouble and we’re not around, could I trouble you to keep an eye on her?”

Shen Hui studied her, not immediately agreeing.

“She’s really thoughtful,” Gu Hanyu continued. “I even showed her our engagement photo before. She recognized you right away but didn’t reveal her identity. She didn’t want anyone to think she was trying to gain favor. Isn’t she considerate?”

Shen Hui was momentarily taken aback. So, Gu Yuanyuan had known who he was all along?

Audience Comments:

[“What???”]

[“Gu Hanyu is such a schemer! She’s totally setting Yuanyuan up to be misunderstood by Shen Hui!”]